Bouffier gets anotherchance with Hyundai

Hyundai Motorsport has given asphalt specialist Bryan Bouffier another chance to impress in its i20 WRC after naming the Frenchman as part of its driver line up for Rallye de France Alsace (3-5 October).

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Bouffier, the man that took Hyundai’s first rally win at Rallye Antibes – Côte d’Azur in June, made his WRC debut for the squad at last month’s ADAC Rallye Deutschland.

However, the event didn’t go according to plan for the 35-year-old as he struggled to get to grips with the i20 WRC before crashing out twice: once on Saturday when he collided with a Panzerplatte hinkelstein and once on Sunday when he slid off the road on the rally-ending Power Stage.

But Hyundai has decided to give Bouffier another shot in the i20 WRC at his home rally. Team principal, Michel Nandan, said: “We have decided to continue our three-car approach to the season to ensure we are maximising our learning as we approach the end of our debut season in the WRC.

“We have decided to give another opportunity to Bryan following the difficulties he faced in Germany, so he will drive one of our cars in France – a home event for him.”

Bouffier’s Hyundai team-mates in France will be Thierry Neuville and Dani Sordo – the men that finished first and second in Germany.

Neuville and Sordo have also been confirmed as two of Hyundai’s drivers at the final asphalt round of the season, RallyRACC-Rally de Espana (23-26 October). However, the team’s third car will be driven by New Zealander Hayden Paddon in Spain.